We exist to multiply Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.
We Are:
Anabaptist and evangelical
We recognize the teachings and authority of Scripture, emphasize personal salvation, baptize confessed believers in Jesus Christ and encourage community, discipleship, diversity, peacemaking and reaching out.
Community
We are a community of believers. We encourage belonging to a local church in order to help each other grow, hold each other accountable, and live out a corporate as well as personal faith. We adhere to a strong community hermeneutic in which we collectively strive for a better understanding of scriptural truths and communally discern God’s direction.
Discipleship
We recognize that Christianity is more than a belief in, or decision to follow, God; it’s a journey with God toward godly character. We are a committed team working to help our local congregations grow in health and capacity and to further their ministries so they can make an impact within their spheres of influence.
Diversity
We are a celebration of diversity, representing a wide range of cultures, languages, generations, and worship styles, spread across Canada from coast to coast.
Peacemaking
We are mission-minded, dedicated to social justice and peacemaking on a local, national and global level.
Reaching Out
We are passionate about seeing people come into a relationship with Jesus Christ through personal friendships, initiatives in the local church, and working together to plant new churches.
MISSION, GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND PREFERRED CULTURE
The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches currently numbers around 250-plus churches coast to coast. For our conference to function as a whole, we have developed the following mission statement, named our guiding principles, and outlined our preferred culture.
Our mission statement
We exist to multiply Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ
Guiding principles
- We are Bible-based and Spirit-led.
- We are gospel-focused and kingdom-oriented.
- We are called to resource for fruitful ministry.
- We are a learning community.
- We are partnership oriented.
MINISTRY MODEL
We desire to help multiply leaders and disciple-making churches as we work toward our common mission. We do this through four core ministries:
1. Building Community
Fostering a common Mennonite Brethren theological identity for the purpose of strengthening a caring family of churches on mission.
Examples of ministry activities:
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- Upholding our Confession of Faith
- Maintaining the work of the Board of Faith and Life (study conferences, Pastors Credentialing Orientation, pamphlet series)
- Being caretakers of our shared history and resources through the Centre for MB Studies and the Historical Commission
- Helping build networks of conference ministers and transitional pastors
- Facilitating conflict resolution
- Hosting events such as pastors and spouses retreats, provincial conventions and Gathering
- Linking with our international Mennonite Brethren community through ICOMB
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2. Resourcing Ministry
Providing support for churches to gather, register, partner and operate successfully in a region.
Examples of ministry activities:
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- Helping churches with charitable and religious status
- Helping churches with land titles/registration
- Providing accounting services and payroll/benefits for pastors & staff
- Managing pension for pastors/staff
- Providing mortgages and loans for churches
- Providing technology infrastructure, event services, GMMiTV
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3. Developing Leaders
Multiplying leaders for pastoral, church planting and cross-cultural ministries.
Examples of ministry activities:
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- Providing training schools and seminaries
- Offering resourcing workshops and training conferences
- Offering coaching and mentoring programs
- Supporting leaders’ networking
- Offering internship programs connecting with local churches
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4. Multiplying Churches
Making new disciples and multiplying churches to see Canada and the nations transformed by the good news of Jesus.
Examples of ministry activities:
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- Local churches reaching their communities and baptising new believers
- Planting new churches across Canada through C2C Network
- Partnering with global church planting to reach the nations through MB Mission
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Canada Charter
Charter of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (PDF)
GOVERNANCE
Governance Manual
The Canadian Conference of MB Churches approved a new model for its structure at Gathering 2004. During the following year, the governance manual was finalized.
Governance Manual – approved January 2016 (PDF)
General Operating Bylaw
In conjunction with our governance model, the General Operating Bylaw was developed and accepted to reflect our current structure.